Don’t be distracted, focus on agricultural growth — FACAN President tells members

The President of Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) Urges Members to Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

The President of Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Victor Iyama, has charged members of the association not to be distracted by the current challenges FACAN is facing, rather focus on the development of agricultural commodities value chain.

Background

Iyama, who doubles as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association, gave this charge while briefing journalists on the crisis rocking the Association. A group of Agriculture Commodity Association Presidents recently ‘dissolved’ FACAN Executives, alleging that no election has been conducted since 2016 when they were elected, among other administrative misconducts.

FACAN’s Response

In a quick reaction, the FACAN Executives disowned the group and affirmed that an election was held in 2021 through a webinar, in adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines. Iyama, while addressing journalists, described the other group as portfolio farmers who are not members of FACAN and therefore do not have the right to be involved in the association’s activities.

FACAN’s Purpose and Government Support

“FACAN, as the umbrella body of National Agricultural Commodity Associations, was encouraged by the Federal Government as a vital link between the government and the organized private sector in agricultural business, operating under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework,” said Iyama. He emphasized that FACAN’s purpose is to foster collaboration, support farming activities, and promote the growth and development of agricultural commodities for increased production, processing, and marketing/export.

Impersonation and Misinformation

The FACAN President expressed concern over certain individuals impersonating FACAN’s leadership and making false claims, which they vehemently condemn. These actions have led to confusion among genuine members of FACAN and potential misinformation within the agricultural sector.

FACAN’s Stand

“We want to clarify that FACAN remains apolitical, focusing solely on advancing the interests of our members and supporting government policies that enhance the agricultural sector’s growth and development,” stated Iyama. He also emphasized that FACAN will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt its operations or impede its mission. The actions of a certain Board of Trustees (BoT) member in Kaduna, who recognized the faction from the neophyte group without proper authority, were highlighted as a violation of FACAN’s Constitution. It was emphasized that no BoT member has the power to endorse any group on behalf of FACAN.

Call to Action

Iyama urged all FACAN members, especially the BoT member in question, to refrain from engaging in activities that violate the constitution and undermine the integrity of the association. He called for a focus on the primary goal of contributing to the agricultural sector’s growth and success through genuine agricultural activities. As the accredited umbrella body, FACAN is committed to maintaining transparency, upholding the rule of law, and fostering unity among its members.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The issues highlighted in the article are related to agriculture, specifically the development of agricultural commodities value chain. This aligns with SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the article mentions the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) as an umbrella body for agricultural commodity associations, emphasizing collaboration, support for farming activities, and the growth and development of agricultural commodities. This connects to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Lastly, SDG 17, which emphasizes partnerships for the goals, is relevant as FACAN operates under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

The article mentions the focus on the development of agricultural commodities value chain, which aligns with the target of doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers (SDG 2.3). It also emphasizes supporting government policies that enhance the agricultural sector’s growth and development, which connects to the target of promoting development-oriented policies that support decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation (SDG 8.3). Furthermore, FACAN operates under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework, highlighting the importance of partnerships, which relates to the target of enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17.16).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of small-scale food producers’ agricultural productivity and incomes.
• Government policies supporting productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in the agricultural sector.
• Existence and effectiveness of partnerships between the government, private sector, and agricultural commodity associations.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards the identified targets can be measured by tracking the number of small-scale food producers and monitoring their agricultural productivity and incomes. Additionally, the implementation and impact of government policies supporting productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in the agricultural sector can be assessed. The existence and effectiveness of partnerships between the government, private sector, and agricultural commodity associations can also serve as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: tribuneonlineng.com

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